God knows, we need humor these days

Four years after beginning to make movies and near the end of World War I, Charlie Chaplin completed building his own movie studio in a Hollywood orange grove at a cost of $1.2 million.

“He was such a creative genius, such a strong character, he needed complete freedom. It was the most sophisticated state-of-the-art film studio in the world,” says artistic director of the Northwest Sinfonietta, Christophe Chagnard. There, the little man who created the Little Tramp wrote, scripted, produced, edited and acted in his own movies and also composed the accompanying music. “He couldn’t really read music though he played left-hand violin and piano, but all the material is from him and he had an arranger score it (for the orchestra). I’ve always admired him.”

Ninety-one years later, the Northwest Sinfonietta is showing the first two movies Chaplin created at his own studio, and performing with them the music Chaplin composed. “There’s tremendous humor in them, and God knows, we need humor these days,” says Chagnard.  “A Dog’s Life” (made in three months and released a week later), and “Shoulder Arms” (which took four months) will be shown this Friday at Nordstrom Recital Hall and Saturday at the Rialto Theater in Tacoma, along with Copland’s Short Symphony in his sextet arrangement.

Describing the challenges of playing silent movie music compared to today’s film scores, Chagnard explains that, unlike in modern ones, the music never stops in a silent movie and must synchronize with what’s on screen at every moment. “There’s very little room for error, no give and take, you have to be with it,” he says. It’s a challenge, but the Sinfonietta is always up for a challenge, he says.

The musical score being played was restored by composer Timothy Brock for the Chaplin estate and uses just 12 instruments, all there is room for on the stage at Nordstrom when the large movie screen is in use.

The Copland is another challenge. When it was first written in the early 1930s, it was apparently considered too difficult for an orchestra to play, and a few years later Copland arranged it for a sextet of string quartet with clarinet and piano, which is how it will be played Friday. The orchestral version was finally performed in 1939 by the Mexican National Orchestra under Carlos Chavez and in gratitude, Copland dedicated it to him.

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Like all other small professional music organizations, the economy is having an inpact on the Northwest Sinfonietta. Frugality has always been its motto, though, says Chagnard. “We’re doing a lot with very little and being inventive.” The small staff works long hours and does everything, Chagnard along with them. “We’re very aware of where we stand and have a proactive, outstanding board which is not afraid of facing realities and doing what it takes.”  The artistic vision has not been compromised, he says, and no one has been laid off,  but the orchestra has cut the number of musicians it uses for particular concerts, such as only twelve for Friday. “The musicians understand.”

Tickets are $28-45 with senior/student/military/discounts, at www.orchestraexperience.com or at the door.

Philippa Kiraly